Astaro release free firewall for VMWare

Astaro has announced its Free Business Firewall for VMWare, a VMware certified virtual firewall appliance, which will allow VMware users to secure their virtual machines and control traffic between virtual machines.

The firewall is targeted at users who do not have a vSphere edition with vShield Zones. Astaro hopes that once users download and install the firewall, which will be available from the VMware configuration console, that they will be interested in the other functions available for purchase from Astaro, including Network, Web and Mail Security. These extra functions are activated with a licence key, rather than requiring a new installation. Astaro also sells its Command Centre product, which simplifies management for the user that wishes to configure multiple firewalls.

Gert Hansen, Astaro's Chief software architect told The H that they expect VMware, in the mid-term, will respond and move their security offerings into all editions of vSphere, but before then, the Astaro offering will make it easier for companies to secure their small and medium sized virtualisation installations. The company is providing the free firewall with a thirty day trial of Astaro Security Gateway to users who sign up at the company's web site.

(djwm)